Dracaena plant named ‘0801BJ’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  plant named ‘0801BJ’ which is characterized by upright foliage born on an unbranched stem, dark green foliage with a slight axial twist, coarsely undulate foliar margins, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Dracaena disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘0801BJ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘0801BJ’ is a spontaneous branch-plant mutation of a Dracaena fragrans ‘Green Jewel’ (Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 11181) which was discovered at a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands in the spring of 2008. The mutation was initially noted for its thick, dark green foliage and upright growth habit. Said mutation was isolated for further evaluation to confirm the uniformity and stability of the unique characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of the stability and uniformity of the characteristics, the new plant was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘0801BJ’ is accomplished by way of rooting stem cuttings. Propagation was first performed in the summer of 2008 at the inventor's commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Through five subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘0801BJ’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘0801BJ’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘0801BJ’ as a new and distinct Dracaena fragrans cultivar:

-   -   1. Dracaena ‘0801BJ’ exhibits upright foliage born on an         unbranched stem; and     -   2. Dracaena ‘0801BJ’ exhibits relatively thick foliage; and     -   3. Dracaena ‘0801BJ’ exhibits dark green foliage with a smooth         texture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘0801BJ’ grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant, grown in a 11 cm nursery container, is approximately 8 weeks old from a rooted young plant; and

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘0801BJ’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements, made in February of 2021, describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 8 week-old ‘0801BJ’ plants grown in 11 cm nursery pots in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols for Dracaena sp. which consisted of growing under shade, regular overhead irrigation and regular fertigation, and chemical control of thrips insects. No photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘0801BJ’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘0801BJ’ and comparisons with the parent plant and most similar commercial Dracaena cultivar known to the inventor are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial with upright foliage born on a             solitary upright, unbranched stem.         -   Plant profile.—Flattened globular.         -   Height.—23.4 cm.         -   Width.—Average of 45.5 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Plant vigor.—Highly vigorous.         -   Propagation.—Method — Asexual propagation is accomplished by             stem cuttings. Time to initiate roots — Approximately 5             weeks are required to initiate roots at 20 degrees Celsius.             Time to produce a marketable 12 cm potted plant —             Approximately 12 weeks. Pinching will increase lateral             branching.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither             tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of             Dracaena fragrans have been observed.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to USDA Hardiness Zones 10             through 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius;             moderate tolerance to rain and wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense             rooting.         -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately             deep.         -   Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS N170A. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching characteristics.—Not freely branched in nature;             develops lateral branches only when manipulated by man by             way of pruning. Naturally produces one main stem arising             from the plant's base.         -   Attitude.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 1.7 cm.         -   Internode length.—Average 0.6 cm.         -   Stem texture.—Glabrous; smooth.         -   Stem luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Color, developing stems.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.         -   Color, mature stems.—Yellow green, nearest to in between RHS             145B and 145C yet closest to 145B.         -   Color at the internodes.—Yellow green, nearest to in between             RHS 145B and 145C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Spiraled.         -   Attachment.—Sheathed.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Attitude.—Foliage is held upright to outward and becomes             relaxed to a near-horizontal attitude towards the apex.         -   Number of leaves per stem.—27.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 28.1 cm long and 5.4 cm wide, on             average. Shape — Lorate. Aspect — Very slightly to slightly             axially twisted (i.e. spiraled). Apex — Acute. Base —             Sheathed. Sheath — Length — 3.2 cm. Width — 3.5 cm. Color,             adaxial surface — Green-white, nearest to RHS 157C. Color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145B and 146D. Margin — Entire; coarsely undulate. Texture             and luster of adaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and glossy.             Texture and luster of abaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and             moderately glossy to glossy. Color — Juvenile foliage,             adaxial surface — Nearest to in between yellow-green and             green; RHS 147A and NN137A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial             surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137A. Mature foliage,             adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS NN137A             and 139A, yet considerably darker. Mature foliage, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A, and lightly             suffused with green, RHS 137A. Venation — Pattern —             Parallel. Color, adaxial surface — The main vein nearest             green, nearest to in between RHS 137A and 143A. All other             veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage:             nearest to in between RHS NN137A and 139A, yet considerably             darker. Color, abaxial surface — The main vein is             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. All other veins are             indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage:             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A, and lightly suffused with             green, RHS 137A. -   Inflorescence: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Flower buds: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Flower: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Reproductive organs: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Seed and fruit: To date, flowering has not been observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

Plants of the new cultivar ‘0801BJ’ may be distinguished from its parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘Green Jewel’ (Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 11181), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘0801BJ’ ‘Green Jewel’ Foliage thickness. Significantly thicker Thinner than ‘0801BJ’. than ‘Green Jewel’. Foliar texture. Smooth. Textured. General coloration of Significantly darker Lighter green by com- the mature foliage. green than 'Green Jewel'. parison to ‘0801BJ’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘0801BJ’ may be distinguished from the closest known commercial comparator, Dracaena fragrans ‘DRAGREYE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,804), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘0801BJ’ ‘DRAGREYE’ Growth habit. More upright and More relaxed and more less compact than compact than ‘0801BJ’. ‘DRAGREYE’. Foliar margin Less undulated. More undulated. undulation. General coloration of Dark green. Lighter green and narrow- the mature foliage. ly margined yellow. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘0801BJ’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 